Swastika Graffiti Found In Restroom At Pike High School

Pike Township is investigating two separate incidents of swastikas drawn in Pike High School restroom last week.

A photo sent to Fox59 shows swastikas drawn on bathroom mirrors and a countertop. 

In a statement, Pike Township officials say the incidents may be criminal mischief but aren’t believed to be hate crimes. Local police are also investigating.

Lindsey Mintz, the director of the Indianapolis-based Jewish Community Relations Council – or JCRC – says they receive one to two calls each month from students’ parents about anti-Semitic incidents.

"When we get a room full of Jewish teens together they all raise their hand when they are asked the question, 'Have you ever heard someone tell a Jewish joke and not known how to react?'" Mintz says. 

Indiana does not have hate crime legislation, but Gov. Eric Holcomb has called for lawmakers to consider it following an anti-Semitic incident at a Carmel synagogue.

"I think it is high time for Indiana to come off the list of five states that do not have a hate crime statute," Mintz says. 

Pike Township says they will be working with the JCRC and several other Jewish groups to educate students about anti-Semitism.